Charitable Endeavor by Citadel Cadets Brighten the Lives of Senior Citizens
In North Charleston, South Carolina, a dedicated group of Citadel cadets have spent their past Saturday morning assisting a community of seniors in refurbishing their neighborhood. The focus of their efforts was mainly on the landscaping needs of the region.
The Elms: A Community in Need
The Elms, a neighborhood comprising approximately 300 individuals who are aged 55 and above, required a helping hand as several occupants are physically unable to maintain the neighborhood’s greenery. There were numerous areas around the neighborhood that were in dire need of landscaping; however, financial constraints hindered any possible developments.
The Initiators of Change
Mary Doran, the Elms “plant liaison,” took the responsibility of arranging a refurbishing initiative. Over an impressive period of nine months, Doran coordinated with the Goose Creek Lowe’s and the Citadel – a renowned military college in Charleston, in a bid to garner some assistance. The efforts culminated positively as Lowe’s offered flowers at a discounted price, while the Citadel volunteered 25 of its cadets for the cause.
A Day Full of Hard Work and Joy
The band of 25 Citadel cadets devoted their Saturday to the elderly residents of the Elms, dedicating their time to reviving the neighborhood’s landscape. Mary Doran expressed deep contentment over the unfolding events, stating “It’s just been a very happy experience. I can’t tell you how much joy I’ve been filled with because this means so much to the residents here.”
She further explained how there is an active group of 80-year-olds and 90-year-olds who are full of joy to see the flowers but are limited by their physical incapacity to plant them. Approximately 30 of the Elms residents are veterans, presenting the cadets with a grand opportunity for meaningful interaction with retired servicemen. Expressing her thoughts about the impact of the event, Doran mentioned “They’re ecstatic because the flowers bring us a lot of a lot of happiness.”
A Hope for the Future
Doran is keen on this not being the last event of its kind and intends to seek further help from the Citadel cadets in the future. She believes the Elms is always in need of extra hands and the cadets can support the seniors in fulfilling their desire to maintain a refreshing, joy-filled environment in their homes.
